Located in the centro-oeste or the center-west region of Brazil, this modern capital was planned and constructed in the span of four years, from 1956 to 1960. It was largely the vision of the then President Juscelino Kubischek, who was able to take an idea that started in the nineteenth century and bring it to fruition.

One of the major modernist architects of Brasília was Oscar Niemeyer, who, along with Lúcio Costa's team, envisioned the large vertical structures of the Palácio do Congresso (National Congress), as well as the Cathedral of Brasília and many other stunning Modernist buildings throughout the city. Below is a list of buildings that should be visited while you are in Brasília.

Modernist Architecture of Brasília

The idea behind the city was to create a modern and functional plan that would also reflect the newer vision of a modern, democratic government. Some of the buildings are certainly that, and much more. The beauty of reflective pools, the accompanying sculptures, and the simple vertical and horizontal lines make a stunning city.

Most people who live in Brasília enjoy living there, even if there are some typically urban problems. Public transportation can be inefficient, and one probably needs a car to get around the vast expanse of the Planalto Central (Central Plains). There might be very little to do on the weekends since it is a “working city” dedicated to the government bureaucracy. On the positive side, the weather is absolutely perfect, there is little pollution and virtually no threat from natural disasters, and the sunsets of the plains are absolutely gorgeous. So, if you visit Brazil, don't forget to stop by its most intriguing capital.